Indoor practice putting cup



L. H. GERDING INDOOR PRACTICE PUTTING CUP Jan. 25, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filegl May 27, 1947 Inventor Louis ,H. Gerding' B} and 'Jan. 25, 1949. L. H. GERQDING 2,460,080

INDOOR PRAC'I;ICE PUTTING CUP Filed May 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3. I I I 4 Wm M Q m a Q I Inventor Louis H. Gerding WWW Patented Jan. 25, 949

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- 2,460,030 iN'DOOR 'PRAGTICEPUTTING Louis H.-Gerding-, Ottawa/ 111. Application May 2'7, 194?, serial No; 750,831

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in games; particularly indoor types, and particularly that type which simulates large scale sports. I

An'obieot of this invention is to provide means conducive of indoor en oyment t6 persons from all Walks of life and environment and particw larly those interested in golf.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improveds'imulated green in the tom: of a carpet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a recess in a compartment which simulatesin size, the normal cup conventionally round angel! greens.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved means for receiving a ball which is seated over and adjacent the said recess.

A further object of this invention is to provide detachable means on said ball receiving means having baiiies therein therebydefiriiiig' additional receptacles for golf balls and also serving the purpose of a back stop in the event that the operator of the invention doesnot successfully complete the circuit between the putting position and the cup. H

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for retaining; and directinggolf balls adjacent the said cup to the putting position on the simulated green.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extremely simple and inexpensive device of the character described which is easily assembled and which lends itself well to commercial manufacture. v

Ancillary objects and features of novelty shall become apparent to those skilledin the art, in following the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational plan view of the detachable connecting means utilized in conjunction with the trough or return means;

Figure 3 is a sectional detail of construction taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure l in the direction of the arrows;

Figures is an elevational plan view of the ball receiving means forming part of the present invention; V

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the elements of the invention disclosed in Figure 4, showing various indicia thereon.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated prea 2 ierred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters are used throughout to indicate similar elements.

This invention has been conceived and developed to provide a device conducive of enjoymerit and pleasure to those desiring an indoor,

or even outdoor game. This is a device requiring' skill to operate successfully and which may be utilized by any number of persons. There is introduced in the present invention the elements of competition as well as skill which further renders the invention a meritorous and desirable A carpet runner ill of any desired length is provided preferably of a green color in order to simulate a golf green. The contour and quality of the said carpet runner may be particularly and specially chosen in order that the roll of the golf ball l8 thereon might, in a large manner, simulate the roll on a conventional, well kept green.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 wherein there is disclosed an operator (man putting) standing adjacent the extensions l2 and I4 respectively which are provided not only for the purpose of giving ample room to the said operator but also for the purpose of receiving the end portion of the trough or track, generally indicated at I6. The ball l8 which may be a conventional glf ball is about to be sent down the carpet ill by a stroke of the operators club.

Going now to Figure 3, there is disclosed a re cess 20 within the said carpet It]. If desired, a pad 22 may be provided at the base of the said recess 20 for the obvious purpose of deadening the rebound of the golf ball as to sound and resiliency. Positioned over the recess 20 is a means for receiving golf balls l8 therein. This means consists of 'a base 24 having parallel extending arms 26 and 28 respectively. The said arms are adapted to be positioned over the said recess 20 and a relatively fiat band 30 is secured therebetween. This band and its configuration may be readily ascertained from an inspection of Figures 3 to 5 inclusive. It will be seen that the forward portion of the said band 30 is substantially flat or parallel to the upper surface of the said carpet l0 while the rearward portion of the said band 30 is slightly inclined relative to the carpet datum. This, of course, provides a stop means for the golf ball [8 when the same is received within the band 30. It is noted at this point that the angular inclination of the rear portion of the said band 30 may be considered a compensation for the jump or are that the ball l8 utilized, if desired, as a portion of the game... Bafiles 38, as well as the end portions 40 of the said arms, extend from said arms-and provide pockets therebetween. These pockets may be numbered or otherwise scored in order to 'carry' a certain value in points to the reception of a golf ball therein.

Forming a part of the present invention is the trough or chute it which is to be utilized adjacent the carpet IG. This trough is preferably composed of a plurality of elements which are detachably secured in fixed relation. The preferable securing means is a simple slot and tongue arrangement, generally indicated at 42 'on the floor of the said trough l6 and a pair of suitcase clamps 43 adjacent each groove and tongue assembly. The said trough is provided with legs 46 thereunder which are preferably graduated in height in order to give golf balls I 8 a slight rolling movement when placed at the higher end thereof. One end of the said trough I6 is enclosed while the other end terminates in a spout 48, directing the golf balls I 8 to the feet of the operator of the invention.

It is noted at this point that the preferable means for securing the said arms 34 and 36 to the base 24 is by utility of conventional wing nut and screw means. The wing ,nuts, disclosed in Figure 4, are generally indicated by the reference numeral 50. This construction permits of. easy removal of the said arm and associated bafile, when so desired. 1

It is within the purview of the present invention to utilize the base 24 along with all of. the appurtenances contiguous thereto on and in conjunction with the conventional living .room rug as well as a relatively smooth surface in ones courtyard. In other words, the means for receiving olf balls is preferably utilized with the said carpet l0, however, this isnot an essential requisite to the game.

.While there has been described and illustrated but a single preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent to those skilled in the art, that various changes including omissions and additions may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

I-Iaving described the invention, what is claimed asnewisz' l 1. A simulated putting green comprising a carpet member having a recess therein, means for receiving a ball seated in part over and in part adjacent'said recess, said means including a base member, arms detachably secured thereto and extending outwardly from the sides thereof, a

7 slot insaid base member, said base member positioned above said recess and a relatively flat band extending from said base member and partially extending in said slot and an inclinedfloor in said recess to allow golf balls to roll by gravity to one end of said recess.

2. A, simulated putting green comprising a carpet member having a recess therein, means for receiving a ball seated in part over and in part member, arms detachably secured thereto and extending outwardly from the sides of said base member, a slot in said base member, said slot positioned above said recess and a relatively fiat band extending from said base member and partially extending in said slot, said arms having bailles extending therefrom definin pockets therebetween having open fronts for selectively receiving a ball therein.

LOUIS H. GERDING.

, REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

V UNITED STATES PATENTS I Number Name Date 300,862 Goodenough June 24, 1884 657,522 Deiters et al. Sept. 11, 1900 7 884,277 Hughes Apr. 7, 1908 1,182,480 H Havens May 9, 1916 1,533,417 Holland Apr. 14, 1925 2,382,329 Munro Aug. 14, 1945 2,383,866 Kling Aug. 28, 1945 2,384,723 Brodzik et a1 Sept. 11, 1945 

